Sydney Siege

The siege in a chocolate shop in Sydney’s CBD ended early this morning AEST. Three people died, including one purported to be the gunman Haron Monis.

There will necessarily be intense scrutiny on the forces used to resolve a violent event. However, it is important to remember that they do not happen in isolation.

The factors that lead us to these events are always complex and often have geo-political, sociological and psychological underpinnings. In this case, the gunman, was a convicted criminal and seems to have latched on to the idea of violent jihad to justify his own failings.

This is the time for cool heads. It is far more effective and efficient to invest in efforts which counter radicalism before it descends into violence. To that end, we should remember the quiet work of those who enfranchise the disenfranchised and seek to strengthen social cohesion.

It is these people, who make our way of life so great.

Governments at all levels must lead in these efforts. Politicians must remember, whatever their political colour, that radicalism is a complex societal issue, not a sound bite. Else we descend into barbarism.

As a society, we must remember that the work of all members of the civil society needs to be focussed on countering radicalism.

This event received so much coverage precisely because it is uncommon in Australia

Just remember that the reason this event received so much coverage in the media is precisely because it is so rare. And of course, it was across the road from the HQ of one of the big Australian TV channels.

Yet, at the same time across the world, six people died, one was wounded, and the gunman escaped in a shooting in Philadelphia. In that case, it seems that the gunman is a mentally disturbed ex soldier.

Yet, although it was reported, multiple shootings are depressingly common in the US. They are even more common in parts of Africa, and often the reports don’t even make it beyond the local news.

It all comes back to risk and societal resilience, because when citizens are allowed to panic, governments start using extreme measures in our names. Professionalism in risk and security is about understanding the difference between perception and reality and taking an evidence based approach to dealing with the issues.